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The Grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya: 10 Fascinating Facts About India’s Newly Built Marvel
Introduction to the New Ram Temple in Ayodhya
The Ram Janmabhoomi temple, commonly known as the Ram Mandir, is a Hindu temple being constructed in the holy city of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is being built on a site that is believed by many Hindus to be the birthplace of Lord Rama.
Ayodhya holds huge religious significance in Hinduism as it is regarded as the birthplace of one of the most revered deities, Lord Rama. The Babri Masjid mosque previously stood on the site before being demolished in 1992. The long-running land dispute over the site was finally resolved by the Supreme Court of India in 2019, paving the way for the construction of the new Ram Temple.
The construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya marks the culmination of a decades-old movement demanding a temple at the site believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. The temple is being built following the Supreme Court verdict and has the support of the Government of India. Its construction holds deep symbolic value for millions of Hindus worldwide.
Location
The Ram Mandir is located in the holy city of Ayodhya, in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Ayodhya is an ancient city that holds great religious significance in Hinduism as the birthplace of Lord Rama.
Situated on the banks of river Saryu, Ayodhya is regarded as one of the seven sacred cities for Hindus. The exact site where the Ram Mandir has been constructed is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama according to religious scriptures.
The Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex, where the Ram Mandir is located, is spread over a large area in the heart of Ayodhya city. The entire complex is highly sacred for Hindus and sees millions of pilgrims every year who come to pay respects at the temple dedicated to their revered deity Lord Rama.
History
The city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, India is an ancient holy site for Hindus. It is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism.
The Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex in Ayodhya is built at the site that is believed by many Hindus to be the exact birthplace of Lord Rama. There have been temples built in honor of Lord Rama at this site for centuries.
The original Ram temple is said to have been destroyed in the 16th century by the Mughal invader Babur, who constructed the Babri Masjid (mosque) in its place. In 1992, the Babri Masjid was demolished by Hindu activists who wanted to rebuild the Ram temple at the disputed site.
After a protracted legal battle, the Supreme Court of India ruled in 2019 that the disputed land should be handed over to a trust for the construction of a Ram temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the new temple in August 2020.
The construction of the grand new Ram temple is seen as a historic step by many Hindus who have waited centuries to rebuild the temple at what they believe is Lord Rama’s birthplace. The temple is expected to be completed by 2023.
Design
The design of the Ram Mandir incorporates elements of traditional Hindu temple architecture while utilizing modern engineering techniques and materials. The temple has been designed in the Nagara style of temple architecture, which is common throughout Northern India.
The most distinctive architectural feature is the rising spires, known as shikharas. The main spire rises to a height of 161 feet above the ground and is made of carved sandstone and marble. Intricate carvings of Hindu deities, symbols, and floral motifs adorn the shikharas.
The temple design incorporates pillars, domes, arches, and mandapams (pillared outdoor halls). The main temple materials are carved red sandstone and marble. The carved marble pillars exhibit traditional decorations.
The foundation of the temple contains over 400 pillars and exceeds 39 feet in depth, helping provide structural integrity. Modern engineering techniques allow the spires to reach greater heights than previously possible while remaining stable.
The intentional use of traditional building materials and architectural elements connects the new Ram Mandir with ancient Hindu temple construction, while modern advancements allow the structure to be safer and last longer. The harmonious blend of old and new in the design creates a spectacular devotional space.
Dimensions
The Ram Mandir is an expansive structure with impressive dimensions. It covers a massive area of 2.7 acres and has a total built-up area of 10.9 lakh square feet.
In terms of height, the temple complex rises to 161 feet tall. The main temple structure itself has three stories, with a height of 128 feet.
The length and width of the temple are equally impressive. The total length of the temple is 360 feet, while the width is 235 feet.
Some key dimensions include:
- Total area: 2.7 acres
- Built-up area: 10.9 lakh sq ft
- Height of temple complex: 161 feet
- Height of main temple: 128 feet
- Length of temple: 360 feet
- Width of temple: 235 feet
The sheer scale of the temple is clear from these measurements. The thousands of tons of stone and marble used in construction give a sense of the grandiose vision behind this project. Architecturally, the dimensions make the Ram Mandir one of the most expansive temple complexes ever constructed in India.
Capacity
The Ram Mandir is designed to accommodate a large number of devotees and visitors. According to official estimates, up to 1 lakh devotees will be able to have darshan every day once the temple is fully operational.
The massive temple complex is spread over 67 acres of land. The dimensions of the main temple structure are approx 131 ft in length, 140 ft in width and 161 ft in height. The total built up area is approx 5 acres.
There will be 3 stories in the temple with over 300 pillars and more than 160 windows. The ground floor will have statues of Ram Lalla, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman. The first floor will have 12 carved pillars signifying 12 Jyotirlingas. The top floor will have a viewing gallery offering a panoramic view of Ayodhya.
The temple will have 5 entrances. The main entrance will be the Singh Dwar with intricate carvings. The complex is designed to handle the huge crowds that are expected once the temple is open to devotees. The entire area can accommodate approx 10-15 lakh people during festive occasions.
Construction
The construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has been an ambitious and challenging undertaking. The temple is being built on a site that is highly significant in Hindu tradition but has also been controversial. The entire project has unfolded in stages, with careful planning required to meet logistical needs and spiritual sensitivities.
Initial groundwork at the site began in 2020, with the goal of completing construction by 2023 or 2024. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused some delays in the first year. Despite challenges, foundations were laid in 2020 and the digging of pillars began in 2021.
Construction is utilizing traditional techniques in some areas while also incorporating modern equipment. For example, the carved red sandstone pillars are being sourced from the same quarries used centuries ago for ancient temples. But heavy machinery has been deployed for excavation work, allowing the build to progress on an ambitious timeline.
One unique aspect is that the stonework is being carved off-site, with over two thousand crafted pillars, ceilings, and statues already prepared. This allows construction to move rapidly once these pieces arrive on-site for installation. However, it requires ample planning and coordination between the build site and various workshops across India.
The next major phase will involve installing giant concrete foundations to support the structured roofing planned for the main temple area. The project leaders have described the engineering required at this stage as a challenge equivalent to building multiple floors vertically on the foundations.
Overall, constructing the Ram Mandir in a few short years has been a monumental undertaking, balanced between ancient building methods and modern tools. Despite obstacles, the project aims to fulfill its sacred purpose for future generations. The temple has already taken shape as a symbol of faith realized through determination and effort.
Features
The Ram Mandir has many impressive and symbolic features that showcase incredible craftsmanship and design. The sanctum sanctorum houses the idols of Ram Lalla, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman. It is constructed of marble and has ornate carvings of flowers, vines, and religious symbols.
The primary shrine area has eight stunning pillars made of carved pink stone that represent the eight directions. These pillars are 16 feet tall and consist of beautiful floral and peacock motifs.
Perhaps the most iconic feature is the intricate carving on the temple’s outer walls. These depict major events from the Ramayana epic through stunning stone carvings of scenes like Ram’s coronation, building of the bridge to Lanka, and the great battle with Ravana. Skilled artisans carved these wall panels that display the legacy of Ayodhya and Lord Ram.
The sprawling temple complex has many other notable features like the museum showcasing relics found during excavation, the audio-visual presentation mapping Ram’s journey, and the brass-coated main entrance door. Every architectural detail ties into the mythology, legacy, and significance of this holy site.
Cost
The total budget for the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is estimated to be around ₹1,800 crore (~$240 million USD). This includes expenses for raw materials like stone, cement, soil testing, engineers and labor.
The Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is responsible for raising and managing funds for the temple construction. The Trust has received donations from millions of devotees across India and abroad. Funds are also collected through volunteer campaigning in villages.
In 2020, the Trust raised over ₹2,500 crore for the Ram Mandir construction through a fund collection drive. The campaign allowed volunteers and supporters to donate funds in lieu of purchasing symbolic bricks for the temple.
Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, donation collection continued through online transfers directly to the Trust’s bank account. Individuals, businesspersons and companies have made generous contributions for the temple’s construction.
The Ram Mandir is entirely built through collected donations with no government funding involved. The templeTrust is committed to spending the money in a transparent manner. Regular audits and reporting track the usage of finances during the multi-year construction.
The grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is being built through the faith, generosity and unity of millions of Ram devotees across India and worldwide. Their contributions are making the long-cherished dream of having a breathtakingly beautiful temple for Lord Ram at his birthplace come true.
Significance
The construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya carries great cultural, religious and political significance for Hindus in India and around the world. As the birthplace of Lord Rama, Ayodhya is considered one of the holiest cities for Hindus and the site of the demolished Babri Masjid is regarded as the precise birth spot of the revered deity.
The Ram Mandir has huge cultural importance as it will promote values that Lord Rama embodied – morality, duty, idealism and righteousness. This temple aims to spread Lord Rama’s message and foster social harmony in India. Many Hindus view the Mandir as a reclamation of their cultural, historical and religious heritage.
The temple also has deep religious significance. Hindus believe Lord Rama was an avatar of the god Vishnu, who Hindus revere as the preserver and protector of the universe. As an avatar, Rama set the ideal example for how people should live their lives. The Ram Mandir will allow devotees direct access to Rama’s birthplace and the opportunity to offer prayers at the sacred site. This is expected to attract millions of pilgrims annually.
Politically, the Ram Mandir has been a deeply polarizing issue for decades. Its construction follows a long controversial history and protracted legal dispute between Hindu and Muslim groups over ownership of the land. However, the temple’s completion indicates a major political victory for Hindu nationalists in India. It fulfills one of the core demands of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. The Ram Mandir’s construction can therefore be seen as a symbolic political achievement for the Hindu right in the country.